Twin Cities GYRIG 5K on track to make history

Get Your Rear In Gear 5K events promote colon cancer awareness

The sixth annual Twin Cities Get Your Rear in Gear 5K Run/Walk and Kids’ Fun Run is expected to host 5000 participants on May 16th at Southdale Center in Edina, Minnesota.  In addition to setting attendance records, this year’s race – the first Minnesota race to be held in May – will most likely set records for nearly perfect 70 degree sunny weather.

The event, sponsored by Minnesota Gastroenterology and several other community leaders, will bring out notable politicians, including congressman Eric Paulsen and Edina Mayor Jim Hovland.  News personalities Tim McNiff from KARE 11-TV, and sports anchor Mark Rosen from WCCO-TV will also be present to take part in the festivities.  Physicians from around the country will be taking part in the run and walk as part of their presence at the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons Annual Scientific Meeting, held in Minneapolis this year.

Founded in the Twin Cities, Get Your Rear in Gear races are a series of nationwide events to raise awareness and funds for colon cancer. The first Get Your Rear in Gear 5K, held at Lake Harriet in Minneapolis, brought out nearly 1500 participants and was the largest first time 5K ever in the state of Minnesota.  Since that time, the race has continued to grow and moved to Southdale Center in 2008 to accommodate larger crowds.  Funds raised at the 2010 event will be invested in local programs, including the Minnesota Department of Health’s Sage Scopes Screening Program, which provides colon cancer screening and treatment to under- and non-insured Minnesotans.

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